On Good Friday, Christ's Passion is publicly commemorated on Staten Island (video/photos)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Public re-enactments of Jesus’ Passion marked the observance of Good Friday by the borough's devout Christians.

In Port Richmond, more than 100 parishioners of St. Mary of the Assumption R.C. Church gathered outside Christ the King Chapel on Park Avenue for a procession that ended at the church on Richmond Terrace. Along the way, they dramatized the 14 Stations of the Cross.

The live-action street theater featured parishioners dressed in period costume. Alberto Maldonado, playing Jesus, was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate and carried his cross; the two thieves, Roman soldiers, Apostles and the crowd trailed him through local streets.

The Way of the Cross tradition is especially popular with immigrants from Latin America.

The St. Mary’s program caters mostly to the parishioners from Mexico and other Hispanic nations, for whom such street processions in observance of Good Friday and Palm Sunday are customary, said the Rev. Mark C. Hallinan, S.J., pastor.

“It’s a reminder of their customs back home,” said Father Hallinan, “It builds their faith and reinforces cultural traditions, as well as give them a taste of home here.”

Ruperto Pani of Port Richmond said the program taps into the spiritual essence of faith. “The Catholic Church gives us our faith in Jesus, who gave His life to save us. For Hispanic people, this is a great celebration for us, and [an incentive] for us to grow in faith and grow in the community.”

At Immaculate Conception R.C. Church in Stapleton, parishioners wearing colorful costumes re-enacted Jesus’ carrying His cross on the way to His crucifixion on the streets of Stapleton about noon on Friday. About 200 people participated as the faithful started in the school yard by first dramatizing the trial of Jesus using speaking parts from the Bible and then processed through the streets doing a brief depiction of each of the 14 stations along the route.

“Doing the Way of the Cross outdoors is a Hispanic tradition and it’s a devotion and public witness to one’s faith,” said the Rev. Peter Byrne, pastor.